Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Irish Spring Aloe body wash. It smells incredible and lathers up much better than any body wash I've tried. It really makes your skin feel much cleaner and fresher. Just a little bit with lather up a bunch!

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Recently tried Dove Men+Care Body and Face Bar because I had not heard about it before and was intrigued and it was on sale. It left my skin very smooth. First impression was really liked it. Just might change from the Olay I have been using.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Same here. I also like the Eau Sauvage soap, it's much more bitter than the current EDT. I think it has escaped the IFRA police restrictions but to me it is exactly what Eau Sauvage EDT used to be 20 years ago.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

I am such a soap whore that it defies description. I *love* soap. Here are my secrets:

Best Cheap Soap: Yardley English Lavender (seems like we all agree on that one. Ironically, I prefer the cheap american version to the more expensive made in England ones.)

Best Mid-Range Soap: CASWELL-MASSEY. I find that Caswell-Massey, actually, is the best soap in the world. It sort of marries the "English School of Soap" with the "French School of Soap," presenting the best of both. My absolute favourite scent is "Jockey Club," but all of them are very nice, and the colours are fascinating. They have BLACK ("Onyx") and two shades of BROWN -& when I say "brown," I mean BROWN-- ("Sandalwood" & "Tricorn") Jockey Club is a sort of pale sea-foam green. I think if I had to have *ONLY ONE* brand of soap, I would choose Caswell-Massey.

I used to think Bronnley made the best soap, until I tried F.RANCE soap. (The one that's just called F.RANCE & comes in a brown box printed in burlwood.) To me, the smell of that soap would be classified as one of the most exquisite perfumes I have ever smelled. It's supposed to be "Sandalwood" but to me it doesn't smell like sandalwood at all: It just smells like the most delicious thing i've ever smelled in my life. I would KILL to have a perfume that replicates it. The Rance soaps, regardless of what nonsense they've invented about their history, are probably the most luxurious soaps I have ever used. They lather and perfume like none other. Their lather is richer, and fattier than Casswell-Massey's, but they don't last as long. They are Italian, so they sort of have their own "specific" vibe. The one thing you notice -immediately- with RANCE soap is how rich and fatty the foam is: like shaving foam.

Lately, I've been LOVING the lifetime supply lot of huge vintage GIVENCHY GENTLEMAN "soap-on-a-rope" I got on e-bay, circa late 70's. There's just something about it. The rope is annoying but it's a winning piece, no doubt.

I find ROGER&GALLET soaps to be very drying, I always have, though their Carnation scent is so lovely that I buy them anyway. I found the same with PUIG soaps--Agua Lavanda, Maja, etc: They are irritating. Very long lasting, etc, but drying. Like dog soap.

If I had to have *JUST ONE* soap--and that implies that i would then must need wash my face with it, it would be Caswell-Massey "Almond" (or "Almond Milk" --or something) This is white and it smells like milk. It is not irritating to the face, and is all around lovely. On my face I have always used Dove.

BEST SIMPLE SOAP: Pre-de-Provence. This is just "Savon de Marseille" glamorously presented but it comes in some absolutely delicious scents: My favourites are "Verveine" (linden) and "Miel" (honey)

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Another vote for Caswell-Massey as best soap brand overall, but in terms of what the toiletries obsessed men I know swear by: Classic German Speick for the basic shaving or man soap or Yardley Oatmeal and Almond.

As for bathing and more unisex; I prefer Asian soaps that can be bought at many global grocers, as they are more moisturizing and scented and less drying than the European and American ones:

Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap is really quite strong and maybe not to the liking of some, but it's a unique and rich scent (can be drying if overused, not recommended for face). Only for those who are decidedly not barbershop.

a brand of soap called Asantee, especially in the Tamarind scent is amazing and lightens any nicks or skin marks.

I also like Socrates brand Olive Oil soap from Greece, also found at global grocery outlets.

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Oh, and how could I forget? Dove Beauty Bar Sensitive Skin for the face is fantastic for a cheapie, better than much higher end lines I've tried (as long as you moisturize lightly after).

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

delamain: I like Dr. Bronner's too! But never get it ANWHERE NEAR your eyes, even moreso than most soaps. Something about the castile is pure hell. Anyone else see the hilarious documentary about Dr. Bronner? The man is a true wacko eccentric, but quite entertaining...

I guess Speick is usually priced a little much for what it is outside of Europe. Where are you located? I remember in Germany it was pretty cheap. Never tried Musgo Real, but you said vetiver and patchouli and I said YES PLEASE, even if it is supposed to be for men.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

I love Yardley soaps too - especially English Lavender because it has always smelled very true, the way real lavender actually smells. I always have some lavender essential oil on hand, and I used to grow lavender in my backyard when we lived in NY, but I haven't planted any here in Virginia. I just think lavender is essential in a household - like aspirin or tea or...whatever. Real lavender, not fake lavender as in lavender-vanilla scented detergent. I bought some lavender scented goat's milk soap at Whole Foods, but the scent is too faint for me. Yardley's is the winner in my book.

We always have a Dove bar in the shower. It's my husband's preference. He likes the scent (pleasantly rosey/soft musky) and it is very gentle on the skin, not drying, even on the face. I like the way my husband smells after he has showered. He smells of Dove bar and Old Spice deodorant stick, a spicy rose.

My latest soap addiction is Crabtree & Evelyn's Iris, for its gorgeous scent, which I find very soothing and calming. It is like a tranquilizer for me. No pills necessary while I have that soap on hand.

An old favorite used to be C&E's Jojoba soap that was in the shape of a seashell. I liked its creamy lather, sweet soft scent, and its seashell shape. A total escape soap for me.

I like to buy handmade soaps from various places, farmer's markets. Mint is nice.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

LOL: So funny, Lilybelle/Birthday Girl: BEFORE i found the e-bay man who's great aunt died and from whom i bought virtually everything he had that was Givenchy Gentleman, which included lifetime supplies of soap and deodorant--& i prefer french deodorant--even though it's not as effective--I SMELLED EXACTLY LIKE YOUR HUSBAND fresh out of my bath: Dove Soap and Old Spice "Original Stick Formula" Deodorant! How funny is that?????

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Originally Posted by le mouchoir de monsieur

LOL: So funny, Lilybelle/Birthday Girl: BEFORE i found the e-bay man who's great aunt died and from whom i bought virtually everything he had that was Givenchy Gentleman, which included lifetime supplies of soap and deodorant--& i prefer french deodorant--even though it's not as effective--I SMELLED EXACTLY LIKE YOUR HUSBAND fresh out of my bath: Dove Soap and Old Spice "Original Stick Formula" Deodorant! How funny is that?????

That is very funny!! Yes, it must be the classic Old Spice stick, not the new "sport" or any other variation. He will accept no other than the original. So you are another spicy rose yourself there. I'm glad to know it.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Originally Posted by lilybelle

That is very funny!! Yes, it must be the classic Old Spice stick, not the new "sport" or any other variation. He will accept no other than the original. So you are another spicy rose yourself there. I'm glad to know it.

+1 for husbands with the Classic Old Spice Deodorant stick. I also got him some of the vintage cologne, so he can layer it up a bit.

My soap is L'Occitane Verbena Shea Butter Soap i love the lemon- ness, very refreshing? HE keeps his hands off it, and uses any old rubbish really

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

+1 for husbands with the Classic Old Spice Deodorant stick. I also got him some of the vintage cologne, so he can layer it up a bit.

My soap is L'Occitane Verbena Shea Butter Soap i love the lemon- ness, very refreshing? HE keeps his hands off it, and uses any old rubbish really

Yay for Old Spice original! There are Old Spice body washes now, but I know the Mister wouldn't use anything like that. He likes things "the same".

I love L'Occitane. I don't think I've used any of their soaps, though. I'm going to check that out. Verbena Shea Butter is probably nice in summer. My soaps are safe, too - especially the really perfumey ones and shower gels. Not that I mind if he uses them, but he just likes his Dove Bar.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

When I want to have a scent on my skin after shower, you can't beat the Chanel soaps. I love #5 and Coco soap.
So +1 with Dr. G!

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Oh....I need to add: the Guerlain soaps (except for their vintage ones) do not compare with the quality of Chanel soaps. I bought the Shalimar soap & it's pretty generic, despite the faint smell of Shalimar and the price tag.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

For body wash I prefer Jack Black Turbo Wash, does just as good on your hair as it does on your skin. Has a invigorating rosemary and eucalyptus smell that wakes me right up in the morning, but it doesn't interfere with my frags.

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

Re: Your Favorite Soap and Why

How hilarious is this? Are we a race? Maybe we are: The DOVE/OLD SPICE breed of man--We're Soft on the outside, and in all the right places, yet hard-core & tenacious when and where it counts! I see a future "Group" in the works! Spicey Old Dove Studs?